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Rainbow 2017 shows
Four Rainbow shows in June 2017 are being advertised by British concert ticket vendors: London O2 on the 17th, Manchester Arena on 22nd, Glasgow SSE Hydro on 25th, and Birmingham Genting Arena on 28th. All appear to be reserved seating and go on sale December 8 at 10:00 a.m.
Tickets will be available through:
Update (Dec 7): All 4 British shows have been confirmed by Blackmore’s management, who also informs us that “there will be no other Rainbow concerts in Europe in 2017”.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
expect a new album late in the year next year or 2018
December 5th, 2016 at 22:46Pity bout no standing even at my age.
December 5th, 2016 at 22:58…and still no USA shows? Come on
December 5th, 2016 at 23:30Yessssssssssss… and the crowd yelds… Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie Ritchie….
December 6th, 2016 at 01:38Going to use the wedding band line up again? Who cares.
December 6th, 2016 at 01:50Here we go again… But I suspect that this time the shows will be a just a little bit more to the customer’s tastes. Bring ’em on baby!. Smiles to ya.
December 6th, 2016 at 02:39Ritchie could give a rats ass about the USA. You think Candy would influence him to at least play NY.
December 6th, 2016 at 03:56If Blackmore plays so bad like this summer in Germany (look @ his new DVD) … it will be a retiree-band-tour …
But in fact – the fans are so hungry for Blackmore´sRainbow, it doesn´t really matter …
Worse luck ! And this in two ways:
First, that Blackmore plays so bad and he did it again !!!!
Second, that the fans are unaware of this fact
I am very unhappy about this circumstance
(Hey Ritchie … what happens with your perfectionism)
LLRnR
kraatzy
December 6th, 2016 at 08:15Hopefully blackmore gonna plays better..not like this year
December 6th, 2016 at 10:00Ritchie to play Glasgow for first time since 77!
Christmas HAS come early.
Let’s hope venues find a way to avoid selling to re-seller “agencies”.
December 6th, 2016 at 10:39Ritchie is sooo funny. He just doesn’t give a shit.
December 6th, 2016 at 11:19Just saw JLT in New Jersey the day after Thanksgiving. I think Blackmore made a mistake. Joe sounded phenomenal. And his backup band was solid and tight. Craig Goldy was on guitar and nailed it. I think Joe, Daisely, Carey, and pick a drummer, maybe the guy that played Joe’s show and now you have a band. Hell, even get Graham and Doogie to sing a few. I know there is a lot of JLT bashing here and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I met him and Craig after the show and they were cool and talked with us as “fellow fans” of music.
December 6th, 2016 at 13:14Hi
Went to Birmingham last year and really enjoyed a nostalgic evening of Rainbow and Purple classics . Was it perfect, no , but hopefully this time a round with a bit more rehearsal and feedback from the 1st lot of shows ( i.e. more Rainbow) things will be better.
Its not 1976 anymore and anybody expecting a performance of that quality / intensity shouldn’t go along but if you want to hear these songs with Blackmore its your only option.
You pay your money and you make your choice, but I will be going !
Stan
December 6th, 2016 at 14:09Please book some USA/Canada dates ! It would be great if he could get a new bass player and drummer.
December 6th, 2016 at 14:23I was a sharp and very vocal critic of the German gigs, but I have all confidence that the 2017 gigs will be much better, his competetive spirit and ego will win over his laziness!
December 6th, 2016 at 14:57Couldn’t stand it anymore…need to comment about “Blackmore plays so bad”. Having watched the pre-released songs from Eagle Rock I think Mr. Blackmore’s playing is a master class in taste, economy, & as distinct as ever. Of course he doesn’t play like he did in the 70’s; I think it is kind of asinine to expect him to. I will say if you listen to the previews on an IPad or similar device the keys & rhythm section sound muted but listen through a decent pair of speakers and the mix sounds full.
December 6th, 2016 at 15:08Not interesting line up.
December 6th, 2016 at 15:08Bye Bye.
Hope they rehearse this time
December 6th, 2016 at 16:20Ritchie has a true class about him. He is not using cheap tricks by saying it the long goodbye rainbow show. He can still fill large venues on the back of great catalogue of songs he wrote.
December 6th, 2016 at 16:20Hey, c’mon, stop nagging about Ritchie’s bad playing last summer! Sure, his playing was far from the level of, say, Stockholm ’70, or Rainbow On Stage. But that was 40+ years ago! Who of us here is still as good as 40 years ago, at anything?
December 6th, 2016 at 16:50I watched the Memories-DVD, and it was an absolute joy for me. I was moved into tears many times during the show, because those songs are the soundtrack of my youth. We have all seen DP play SOTW billions of times for decades, but seeing RB play Stargazer or Mistreated after such a long time was unbelievable. And Ronnie Romero is the second best Rainbow vocalist ever, second only to another guy called Ronnie.
Went to the Birmingham one this year. It was interesting, but Blackmore really can’t play any more – the rest of the band carried it, and the vocalist made it. Wouldn’t go a second time though: it was too much like a tribute band.
December 6th, 2016 at 17:26To all of you!
December 6th, 2016 at 18:25Please stop dragging Ritchie down! -We all wanted him to play som rock again, and he did! As fans for decades, we should all be thankful for that. If you think that Rainbow would sound like they did in the seventies, you’ve got it all wrong! Got my copy of the “Memories in Rock” and after mixing I think it sounds rather good! Please consider that Ritchie have turned 70 a couple of years ago and be glad to celebrate him with his return to rock! -Long live Ritchie!!!!!
Excellent news, Keep playing Purple songs also, just drop Black Night & Child In Time & bring in a few others. Too much of a mega legacy there to ignore! Oh & film the final Birmingham gig & don’t have any boring sing along rubbish with the audience! Then all will be good! Cheers.
December 6th, 2016 at 19:55A few tips:
Keep Ronnie, and maybe Jens. Get a new drummer and bass player. Rehearse more.
Hopefully the finger has healed 100%.
I REALLY, REALLY hope TMIB finish his rock’n’roll career with a boom and shuts all the haters up. But I must admit the new DVD is almost painful to listen to. The gig in Birmingham was a lot better. Why the hell didn’t they record that one?
We need to understand that it isn’t 1976 anymore. Back then (1970 – 1980) Ritchie ruled the universe. I’ll listen all his work pre 1998 ’til I die.
LLRNR!!!
December 6th, 2016 at 20:11Hopefully some lessons will have been learnt from last time. At least he will have recovered fully from the operation to his hand (which was part of the problem last time), but he needs to practice to get something approaching full manual dexterity. The entire band needs to work on dynamics and there needs to be some showmanship involved. Ronnie is the only one who is really pulling his weight. I understand that Ritchie has substantial hearing loss (you’d have thought the 200 watt Marshall heads might have made him think about damage!), but then why isn’t he using in-ear monitoring? He may be using a backline that is simply a single 1×12 Engl combo to prevent more hearing damage, but with in-ear monitors he could use a larger amp without worry, and then be able to achieve the sustained feedback that is part of his playing style. Perhaps more dates will start coming in throughout Europe and the U.S. as 2017 progresses. There is clearly the desire to see Blackers so it would be a nice gesture for his fans.
As for a set list? I’d rather not hear ‘Since You Been Gone’ ‘Stone Cold’ or ‘I Surrender’ ever again (they are terribly cheesy). How about something different like ‘Eyes Of The World’, Gates Of Babylon, ‘A Light In The Black’, ‘LA Connection’, ‘Kill The King’, ‘Tarot Woman’ (which would be a terrific opener).
December 6th, 2016 at 20:21Wouldn’t waste my time.
December 6th, 2016 at 20:26Birmingham last year was one of the worst I have ever seen
Ok, the actual rhythm section (bass/drums) is a joke and needs to be replaced with professional musicians.
Singer and keyboard-player are ok, and Ritchie has to put his energy on a higher level.
But first: they have to do rehearsals!
I think of the two terrible Zeppelin ‘reunions’ back in the 80’s/9o’s. After a couple of years they were more concentrated, rehearsed intensive and did a fine show in 2007 in London.
Have a nice Day!
December 6th, 2016 at 21:29Ritchie is way over the hill….he’s a has been guitarist.
December 6th, 2016 at 21:47The last few days…
Two DP album teasers, a DP tour and now a Rainbow tour announced.
Amazing!!
December 6th, 2016 at 22:44🙂
Dear kraatzy, Blackmore is my favourite guitar player since i was nine. For me it starts with the Burn Album and it ended with the beginning of Blackmores Night. I was looking forward to the 2016 concerts and was shocked about what i heard. There were a lot of complaints about the rythm section, but for me it was Blackmore who doesn´t work out. Just a shadow of himself. Just a bad cover of himself.
December 6th, 2016 at 23:09So I wonder as you why most of the fans are unaware of that.
Second that he did it.
Third that he did a release of it.
Fourth that uuups he will do it again.
It is unbelievable sad to say, that there´s no vision about further projects as mark 3 was rumored years ago or a collaboration with coverdale or even some songs with DP. The magnified chapter Blackmore is closed. Hope he did not add more to blame like “Memories in Rock” or Blackmores Night Stuff.
hey Ritchie can you find a new bass player and get rid of that so called drummer of yours!!
December 7th, 2016 at 00:33Fans who have seen the DVD of this year’s debacle will stay away in droves.
A sad end to a remarkable career.
December 7th, 2016 at 05:25more money grabbing hope he gets some decent backing musos and singer this time who do rock music justice….
December 7th, 2016 at 07:25Glasgow tickets bought already…
December 7th, 2016 at 11:50There is a bigger possibility that they will be be better rehearsed et all.
December 7th, 2016 at 13:34But I dont like this line up 🙁
I just bought tickets for Glasgow – even after the debacle of the German 2016 gigs. Is that faithful or what?!
The definition of madness is doing something over and over again and expecting different outcomes. : – )
Maybe he’ll wear a kilt?
December 7th, 2016 at 14:11I was in Birmingham for the last one, and seeing him play Burn was a great moment – I’m glad I went.
December 7th, 2016 at 16:45With the same lineup in 2017, I really don’t feel the need to go again – especially as the 2016 shows were billed as RB’s last rock shows.
This starts to look like a ‘pension top-up’ tour, and RB’s many fans (including me) deserve better from him.
“If I work hard every day
For my money
If I work my fingers down to the bone
That ain’t funny”
Ritchie was never NOT about money. The “he-who-writes-gets”-change from Mk II to Mk III, the move to the US (the country he despised) for tax reasons, the Rainbow contracts with everyone except him being mostly on wages, the ditching of the Rainbow classic light show when its upkeep became too expensive, the change to more commercial material, the DP reunion, getting Ian Gillan back in after album and ticket sales nose-dived with JoLT, even his litigated share in T-Shirts sold at Purple gigs today showing his face … None of this is terrible and, hey, lil’ Autumn and Rory need to go to college one day too, radio electrician is no longer a viable option – last I heard the US will not have free academic education any time soon ; – ) -, so I’m not bothered by him cashing in with these last(ish) shows.
Just do it well, will ya! Quid pro quo.
December 7th, 2016 at 22:49Of course, we all remember Rainbow’s first album from 1968… but I don’t suppose RB will be playing any tracks from that particular set in the 2017 live shows!. Lol. 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLQ9kozzO0M
Sorry, couldn’t help myself… But this is still a fantastic album anyway!. Be happy.
December 7th, 2016 at 23:44Birmingham this year was one of the most enjoyable concerts I have ever been to. I even thought the drummer and bassist played OK in contrast to many round these parts. Just looking at presale tickets and they’re 20% dearer than last year (good old Brexit). The atmosphere this year due to the 20 year wait was what really made it special. That will be different next year, and in the cold light of day can I justify a days pay on a good tribute band in a half empty enormodome? Probably not. It will probably be sold out, but only because half the hall will be shut. That will be too sad for me. Leave them wanting more? He should have done…
December 8th, 2016 at 02:38Got my tix to see Ritchie in Glasgow! I am sure it will be absolutely fantastic! Be positive all!
December 8th, 2016 at 05:56@ Carsten …
You´re right.
He is a shadow of himself.
I am a fan since 1976 (!)
He is my idol / hero, but in this summer, he have self destroyed this by himself.
Okay … we all get older, but he was ill-advised to do that summer disaster.
Roumors told me, that he have had no tendency to practice with the other musicians.
I don´t know if this is true, but in the result, it makes sence how he played in German, Birmingham was much better …
For me …
His chapter get close …
It´s so sad to say
With D.P. it´s nearly the same …
My favorite Purple/Rainbow stuff will played consistently much better than the original now (including Blackmore !!!) by my favorite Tribute Band DEMON´S EYE
Look at YouTube and you get the edidence: “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P8CB9717pQ”
LLRnR
kraatzy
December 8th, 2016 at 07:30I saw them at Loreley and my memories are there even though the spectacle upstaged the band. Not going again to see them next year. I am sure they will be less pedestrianized and the song selection better next year…less Purple and more Rainbow ( Dio era ) songs. Will always have massive respect for Ritchie in the majority of things he does or doesn’t do. Interesting there are no mainland Europe gigs but I guess the die-hard fans will travel to one of the four large venues in England and Scotland…German fans must be fuming because Ritchie is huge in Germany
December 8th, 2016 at 07:42Hi everyone!
I just can´t understand the whining here.
Ritchie plays rock again for since when.
Give him a chance!
I was in Birmingham last summer, and had the time of my life.
Agree and don´t get it – why didn´t they record that – as there was a plan before that.
Anyway.
Interesting to see, who actually plays in the line-up this time.
Being a drummer myself, I think the “BN-Kid” did quite a proper job under the circumstances!
Long Live Ritchie!
From The Land of Santa
December 8th, 2016 at 08:45I’m with uwe! I went to Bietigheim-Bissingen and I wasn’t pleased with setlist and band, but I have just bought my London 2017 ticket because I hope things will be better. Ritchie deserves another act of faith .
December 8th, 2016 at 08:57Ritchie and his drinking buddies. I am not very excite.
December 8th, 2016 at 08:58Just heard sad news that Gregg Lake has passed on. Another reason why we should treasure & celebrate both Ritchie’s & Purple’s coming tours.
December 8th, 2016 at 12:13Birmingham this year was excellent as is the DVD. The band played well and Ritchie was on great form
Hands up all you knockers who are musician and could pull a sold out crowd and get up there and do better….. thought not !
December 8th, 2016 at 12:38Waste of time you say?) Go to your grandpa and tell him he is good no more. I wait for the new Album! Night/Romero collaboration would be nice too. But the New Rainbow Album is the Best choice!
December 8th, 2016 at 14:19@KRAATZY If Blackmore plays so bad like this summer in Germany (look @ his new DVD) … it will be a retiree-band-tour …
OK.. lets look at the DVD..”Catch the Rainbow” That is a great performance by Blackmore. “Stargazer” is a good solo as well. I am well aware that it’s not killer as a whole but there are some very good moments .
December 8th, 2016 at 18:58ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…..
Please don’t come to North America…You will be disappointed in the crowd size…
And about age… when you are to old to perform the way you used to, either hang it up or deal with criticism.
@49 – I had no problem telling my dad he can’t play guitar well as an old man. But for an OLD man – he was good!!!So yes – Ritchie is one of the greatest grandpa banjo players in the world!
Live Love Laugh
December 8th, 2016 at 19:50Merry Christmas!
I’m sure he will play at least as well as these last shows he did in Germany. You know it’ not like Gillan is still shattering champagne glasses like he could do in the 70s with the screams!
December 9th, 2016 at 04:17So you spend years banging on about seeing Blackmore/Rainbow play and when he does its complaints and moans all round, sure it wasn’t exactly perfection or even quite close,but it is what it is,a 70 plus year old maybe playing to the best of his ability at this stage in his life and like the rest its fast coming to the end of an era chances to see will diminish .
December 9th, 2016 at 15:10And lets be honest tribute band or not Romero was superb singing the likes of Stargazer and for that reason i will go to Birmingham ,it was an excellent show with great atmosphere,but remember lets not piss him off on the night he has history at the NEC remember,
And finally who on earth thought they would see in 2017 Rainbow / Deep Purple and i have it on a bit of authority we might get Whitesnake as well with a 30th anniversary of 1987, I certainly didn’t and lets be honest what else are you doing on a june evening ,
I really hope Ritchie Will uprise his playing this time. Age is not an excuse. I’ve read a lot comments saying things like “Well, what do you expect for a 70 year old musician” That’s not fair. I expected more, much more than what we can hear on the Memories of Rock dvd. Take a look around to see other musician of Ritchie’s age. Martha Argerich is a little older than Ritchie, but hasn’t lost any of her prodigious dexterity. Keith Jarrett is also +70, and is still playing at his above-than-god level. Paco de Lucía died at 66, but anyone who catched him on his lat tour was amazed to see how incredibly virtuoso Paco still was at his age. Come on Ritchie, you can do It better!
December 9th, 2016 at 16:55Time to see the grand old chap once more.
The booking syustem for the birmingham shows is pretty dire, it doesn’t let you book anywhere and gives random seats. I suspect I’ll be suspended form the lighting truss again…
December 9th, 2016 at 22:01Venite para Argentina Ritchie…
December 9th, 2016 at 22:58Blackmore is my idol too…but you must admit the show that was filmed was lame. I suppose hope is still alive it will be better…
December 9th, 2016 at 23:07Apparently this one slipped under everybody’s radar… It seems that Rainbow released a new studio mini album & single earlier this year in Asia. A warning though, this may not be the kind of sound that you would usually expect from them!.
Hear the album called ‘Prism’ on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGW8ggPnZXo
& see a video of a single called ‘Whoo’ on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URPYRLiGAnY
I guess the lesson here is that if you allow something to go unused for a long time, then you risk losing it. Smiles to ya.
December 10th, 2016 at 01:51My first show with Rainbow was in 77, then in 82 and 95 before this years concert in Birmingham. I thought Blackmore played great as always – not fast – but speed has never been important for me anyway. His unique sound, playing nerve and ability to play the blues with control and feeling has always been special for me.
If it was a meal – he is the spice. the spice makes all the diference.
So, see you in London & Birmingham next summer!
December 10th, 2016 at 19:15@58 LMAO!! and almost 2 million views!! Ritchie and the boys would love that kind of attention!!
PS – They look and sound like a Japanese version of the Pussycat Dolls!
December 12th, 2016 at 17:44@60 NWO, honest to God, I just love their pussies!. They are pretty young asian girls & the video single is so colourful & fun to watch with the volume turned down. 🙂 Smiles to ya.
December 12th, 2016 at 23:08The King of eletric Guitar
December 14th, 2016 at 12:05Got my tickets for Glasgow, gonna have a looooooong weekend away with the wife, never been to Glasgow before so really looking forward to it. LLRnR.
December 18th, 2016 at 10:02I watched all videos from the shows.
December 20th, 2016 at 21:15It is true that drumming lacked power and keyboards were way too passive as if their role was second. I seemed to me that it was a guitar/vocals thing.
Romero is great mimiting Dio but he lacks as a performer. Being a performer is not only singing but it takes to get the crowd in mood, it needs movement and feeling.
Blackmore’s playing was fine but his overall performance was average to me. I don’t think it is because of the age. He certainly enjoyed last Blackmore’s Night shows more. I think he was anxious and maybe tired. He is not doing it for himself, maybe for money or for fans, or even to prove he is still one of the best guitarists.
#54… I love Ritchie, but he never could touch Paco. That is not really a fair comparison. Ritchie does what he wants…. in my opinion, the ’72, ’74 and Dio tours saw Blackmore at his best. He plays well with Blackmore’s Night too…. but I have come to the conclusion that he does not care about us. Just look at the live stuff from ’81 to ’93, and you can see a lot of indifference to the quality of the shows. Some were OK, but when they were bad they were bad.
December 23rd, 2016 at 00:19I have a spare ticket for the concert at the O2 this Saturday 17 June, if any one is interested, please email me on napa1268@yahoo.co.uk ASAP.
June 13th, 2017 at 01:03I am just looking to re-coup my costs for buying the ticket. It’s in Block 110, Row Q, Seat 279